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Minnesota Streetcar Museum

4.9· 200 Google reviews

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Trip at a Glance

Source checked 2026-08-15
  • TypeLiving-history streetcar museum
  • LocationMinneapolis, MN
  • Rating4.9 ★200 Google reviews
  • UpcomingSat, Sep 26
  • Typical rideAbout 15 minutes at either line, with cars normally running continuously during published hours
  • ReservationsNot required for regular service or most specials; named ticketed programs sell in advance and can sell out

About Minnesota Streetcar Museum

Minnesota Streetcar Museum is a volunteer-run living-history museum operating two separate demonstration railways from May into the holiday season. The Como-Harriet line follows about one mile of original Twin City Rapid Transit right-of-way between Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska in southwest Minneapolis. The Excelsior line boards beside downtown Water Street and the public library, then runs to its carbarn. Regular trips at both lines take about 15 minutes and usually run continuously, so the practical choice is which neighborhood and published operating window fit the day. The museum's restored electric cars are working artifacts; rain, mechanical problems, or crew needs can alter the schedule or the car assigned.

📍 2330 W 42nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410📞 952-922-1096

Choose the Line, Then the Date

Choose the visit that fits your group

First-time visitors, urban-transit historians, families, photographers, and Minneapolis day planners

Ride original right-of-way at Como-Harriet

Choose Linden Hills for a wooded one-mile trip between two Minneapolis lakes, the broadest remaining 2026 timetable, and the best chance to connect the ride with The Bakken Museum.

Rail-history travelers, Lake Minnetonka visitors, shoppers, walkers, and compact-itinerary planners

Pair Excelsior with downtown history

Board beside the library and Water Street, ride to the carbarn, and add the museum in the former Excelsior depot steps from the platform.

Walk-up riders, families with flexible timing, budget planners, and visitors avoiding ticketed-event complexity

Use regular service for the simplest visit

Regular rides need no reservation, run about every 15 minutes, and use the standard fare. Check the line schedule and rain conditions before leaving.

Neurodiverse visitors, holiday travelers, repeat riders, ticket buyers, and families choosing age-appropriate programming

Choose a special by sensory and ticket needs

The calendar distinguishes calmer All Aboard rides, family holiday programs, Halloween experiences, and limited ticketed story or evening rides.

Mobility planners, railfans seeking a particular car, group leaders, and long-distance travelers

Plan around historic-car limits

The cars are authentic working artifacts with steps and narrow doors. Call before travel if boarding assistance, a specific car, or a weather-sensitive trip is essential.

Plan Your Visit

  • ParkingFree street parking serves both lines; a paid Lake Harriet lot is also available near Linden Hills Station
  • AccessibilityHistoric cars have steps and doors too narrow for wheelchairs. Crews may help partially ambulatory riders; call about the exact need and line
  • WeatherThe museum typically does not operate historic cars in rain, and mechanical or other issues can change or cancel service
  • Two LinesComo-Harriet boards at Linden Hills Station in Minneapolis; Excelsior boards beside the library near Third and Water Streets in Excelsior
  • Ride LengthAbout 15 minutes at either line, with cars normally running continuously during published hours
  • Regular Fare$3 per ride; children age 3 and under free; $7 day pass; $60 family season pass
  • PaymentComo-Harriet does not accept cash. The museum accepts major cards and personal checks; special-event fares can differ
  • ReservationsNot required for regular service or most specials; named ticketed programs sell in advance and can sell out
  • ContactCall 952-922-1096 or email info@trolleyride.org for line-specific questions, group planning, or disability needs

Find the Depot

Address

2330 W 42nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410

Get directions →

The Trains

The museum operates six historic streetcars across its two demonstration lines. TCRT No. 1300 was built in 1908 and became the first restored car to begin Como-Harriet public operation in 1971. Streamlined TCRT PCC No. 322 was built in 1946 and returned to service in 2000; the 2026 schedule plans it for Thursday evenings and Saturdays through August, but substitutions remain possible. Excelsior's collection includes Duluth Street Railway No. 265, built in 1915, and Duluth No. 78, built in 1893 and placed in Excelsior service in 1999. The rolling-stock page also documents restoration and shop projects; a listed car should not be treated as guaranteed passenger equipment unless the current operating notice says so.

History

1962

Twin Cities preservationists organized the Minnesota Transportation Museum and began saving local electric-rail history.

1971

Restored TCRT No. 1300 opened public operation on the Como-Harriet line.

1999

The Excelsior Streetcar Line opened with restored Duluth No. 78.

2004

A museum restructuring established the present Minnesota Streetcar Museum.

See full history

Preservation began in 1962 when Twin Cities rail enthusiasts created the Minnesota Transportation Museum after the last local streetcars had disappeared. Volunteers restored No. 1300 and opened the Como-Harriet line in 1971 on a surviving segment of original TCRT right-of-way. The Excelsior Streetcar Line began carrying visitors in 1999. A 2004 organizational restructuring created the present Minnesota Streetcar Museum, which continues both lines as volunteer-operated museums on wheels.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a Minnesota Streetcar Museum ride?

Regular trips at both Como-Harriet and Excelsior take about 15 minutes, and cars normally run continuously during published hours.

How much does a regular ride cost?

The current fare is $3 per person, with children 3 and under free. A $7 day pass and $60 family season pass are also listed; specials can use different fares.

Do I need a reservation?

No for regular rides and most events. Story Time, Trick 'r Trolley, The Late Show, and other named programs can require advance tickets.

Can I pay cash?

Not at Como-Harriet. The museum accepts major credit and debit cards and personal checks. Check event instructions for line-specific payment.

Are the streetcars wheelchair-accessible?

No. The historic cars have steps and doors too narrow for wheelchairs. Crews may assist partially ambulatory riders; call about the precise need before travel.

Does the museum run in rain?

Usually not. The museum says its restored cars typically do not operate in rain, and mechanical or other issues can alter or cancel service.

Which line should I choose?

Choose Como-Harriet for the original wooded right-of-way and broad schedule; choose Excelsior for a downtown Lake Minnetonka visit and the adjacent Excelsior Museum.

Will PCC No. 322 operate?

The 2026 schedule plans the PCC for Thursday evenings and Saturdays through August, but historic equipment can be substituted. Do not travel solely for a specific car without rechecking.

Where can I park?

Both lines have free street parking. Como-Harriet also has a paid lot near the Lake Harriet Bandstand and Linden Hills Station.

What are the best nearby museum stops?

Excelsior Museum is beside that line's platform; The Bakken Museum is about one mile straight-line from Como-Harriet and focuses on electricity, science, and innovation.

Sources & Verification

Source-checked August 15, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.

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